Arc 2 Chapter 10 : The Lana Problem

"Loyalty is a two-edged sword. It cuts both ways, and sometimes, it's your own blood on the blade."

—Unknown

---

Zane was done trying to make sense of Lily.

Absolutely, completely, done.

For weeks, she had refused to leave Vatra.

For weeks, she had ignored every warning, every threat, every logical reason to get the hell off this planet.

For weeks, she had given him nothing but cryptic, borderline nonsensical excuses:

"I cannot leave."

"Vatra is close to me."

"If I leave, something will break."

And yet—

Here she was.

Packing up without hesitation.

Because of Tilana.

---

"Let me get this straight," Zane said, voice edged with disbelief and something sharper.

"My life has been in danger for over a month. I have been actively hunted. Every mercenary, noble, military faction, and bounty hunter on this goddamn planet wants me dead."

"And through all of that—you wouldn't leave."

Lily didn't look up. "Yes."

Zane let out a short, humorless laugh.

"But now—because of a girl you've known for less than a year—who, by the way, left you—now you suddenly can leave?"

Lily's hands stilled.

He stepped closer.

"Tell me, Lily, how does that make any sense? You claim you've never been anywhere but Vatra. You claim this place is the only thing you know.

So tell me—how do you suddenly know where to find her?"

She finally looked at him. Calm. Certain.

"That's why I have you."

Zane blinked. "Excuse me?"

She tilted her head slightly, as if studying him.

"I have you, Alekzander."

There it was again.

Alekzander.

Never Zane.

She had never once called him by his nickname.

Never shortened his name like everyone else.

He didn't know why that irritated him, but it did.

And right now?

Everything irritated him.

---

"No. No, no, no—hold up," Zane said, throwing up a hand.

"My life was literally in danger."

"I was nearly executed—twice."

"And you didn't leave."

"But now—because of a message that you don't even know is real—you're just going to walk out of here, leave everything behind, and throw yourself into a trap?"

Lily blinked. "Yes."

"WHY?"

"Because it's Tilana."

Zane stared at her.

Then laughed.

Not a real laugh.

Not even a sarcastic one.

Just pure, incredulous disbelief.

"Yeah, yeah, it's Tilana," he mocked. "And who exactly is Tilana to you?"

He folded his arms. Daring her to answer.

"Because, from where I'm standing, she's just a girl."

"A girl who left you."

"A girl who abandoned you."

"A girl who—correct me if I'm wrong—never even told you she was leaving."

Lily didn't answer immediately.

Then, after a moment—

"Tilana is someone who—"

She stopped.

And for the first time since he'd met her, Lily hesitated.

Zane narrowed his eyes. "Go on. Finish that sentence."

Lily's gaze flickered slightly. "She is—"

"A friend?" Zane cut in, voice sharp.

He didn't know why he felt like this.

Didn't know why his chest felt too tight, why his head ached.

But he hated it.

Hated this conversation.

Hated Tilana.

Hated Lily.

Because Tilana betrayed her, and Lily still chose her.

Because his so-called friend betrayed him, and Lily didn't choose him.

Because he had killed for her.

Because she had broken him out of a prison he didn't ask to be freed from.

Because he had no idea what the hell they even were to each other.

And now she was leaving.

For Tilana.

He exhaled sharply, forcing the bitterness down.

"News flash, Lily," he said, voice quieter now. More dangerous.

"Friends are worthless. Friends are useless."

He forced a smirk, but it felt wrong.

"Friends do not exist."

---

Lily was silent.

Zane turned away. Done.

"You know what? Forget it," he muttered. "Do what you want. It's not like I can stop you."

She turned to leave.

Then paused.

And without looking back, she said—

"For your information, Alekzander, the reason I did not leave Vatra was because I knew I could protect you in Vatra."

"The safest place for you was always here."

Zane froze.

His mind barely had time to process what she had said before she was already walking away.

Say something.

Stop her.

But he didn't.

He let her leave.

And for the first time, Zane realized—

He wasn't sure if she was ever coming back.